“Well, I guess I can,” answered the crow, “for I have seen the gates many and many a time. You must fly directly east, for there are the golden gates. Now, farewell, for I must go. I have many a hill to reach in the west before the dark comes on.”
Saying this, he flew away and left the little elves still sitting on the fence.
“See,” said Spider Eyes, “I told you so; I knew we would find the way to the beautiful world, and from what the crow said we cannot be very far from it.”
Then off they all four flew, straining every feather of their wings to reach the east.
On and on they flew; and still the east seemed so far away.
At last Spider Eyes called out: “Stop, brothers, stop! There must be a shorter way. We have been flying east long enough, and have not had a glimpse of the beautiful gates. The next person we meet will know the way to the beautiful world we are so anxious to see.”
THE CROW AND THE FOUR LITTLE ELVES